Method of enhancing hair growth

ABSTRACT

Methods and compositions for stimulating the growth of hair are disclosed wherein said compositions include bimatoprost and minoxidil in a vehicle for topical application to the skin of a mammal, e.g. a human, whereby the combination of bimatoprost and minoxidil produces a faster onset of hair growth in humans or other mammals and wherein said composition brings about a synergistic result of faster onset of hair growth as compared to compositions comprising bimatoprost and minoxidil, alone.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/561,561, filed Dec. 5, 2014, which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/361,615, filed Jan. 30, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No.8,932,567, issued Jan. 13, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/437,785, filed Jan. 31, 2011, thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties and serve as the basis of a priority and/or benefit claim forthe present application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method for stimulating the growth ofmammalian hair comprising the application to mammalian skin ofbimatoprost or a pharmacologically acceptable acid addition salt thereofand minoxidil or a pharmacologically acceptable acid addition saltthereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dermatologists recognize many different types of hair loss, the mostcommon by far being “alopecia” wherein human males begin losing scalphair at the temples and on the crown of the head. While this type ofhair loss is largely confined to males, hence its common name “malepattern baldness,” it is not unknown in women. No known cure has yetbeen found despite continuing attempts to discover one.

For purposes of the present invention, it is necessary to considervarious types of hair, including, terminal hairs and vellus hairs andmodified terminal hairs, such as seen in eye lashes and eye brows.Terminal hairs are coarse, pigmented, long hairs in which the bulb ofthe hair follicle is seated deep in the dermis. Vellus hairs, on theother hand, are fine, thin, non-pigmented short hairs in which the hairbulb is located superficially in the dermis. As alopecia progresses, atransition takes place in the area of approaching baldness wherein thehairs themselves are changing from the terminal to the vellus type.

Another factor that contributes to the end result is a change in thecycle of hair growth. All hair, both human and animal, passes through alife cycle that includes three phases, namely, the anagen phase, thecatagen phase and the telogen phase. The anagen phase is the period ofactive hair growth and, insofar as scalp hair is concerned, thisgenerally lasts from 3-5 years. The catagen phase is a shorttransitional phase between the anagen and telogen phases which, in thecase of scalp hair, lasts only 1-2 weeks. The final phase is the telogenphase which, for all practical purposes, can be denominated a “restingphase” where all growth ceases and the hair eventually is shedpreparatory to the follicle commencing to grow a new one. Scalp hair inthe telogen phase is also relatively short-lived, some 3-4 monthselapsing before the hair is shed and a new one begins to grow.

Under normal hair growth conditions on the scalp, approximately 88% ofthe hairs are in the anagen phase, only 1% in catagen and the remainderin telogen. With the onset of male pattern baldness, a successivelygreater proportion of the hairs are in the telogen phase withcorrespondingly fewer in the active growth anagen phase.

Alopecia is associated with the severe diminution of hair follicles. Abald human subject will average only about 306 follicles per squarecentimeter, whereas, a non-bald human in the same age group will have anaverage of 460 follicles per square centimeter. This amounts to aone-third reduction in hair follicles which, when added to the increasedproportion of vellus hair follicles and the increased number of hairfollicles in the telogen phase, is both significant and noticeable.Approximately 50% of the hairs must be shed to produce visible thinningof scalp hair. It is thus a combination of these factors: transition ofhairs from terminal to vellus, increased number of telogen hairs-some ofwhich have been shed, and dimunation and loss of hair follicles thatproduces “baldness”.

While a good deal is known about the results of male pattern baldness,very little is known about its cause. The cause is generally believed tobe genetic and hormonal in origin although, the known prior art attemptsto control it through hormone adjustment have been, for the most part,unsuccessful.

One known treatment for male pattern alopecia is hair transplantation.Plugs of skin containing hair are transplanted from areas of the scalpwhere hair is growing to bald areas with reasonable success; however,the procedure is a costly one in addition to being time-consuming andquite painful. Also, psycho-sociological exist and hair transplantationmay be viewed as little different from wearing a wig. Furthermore, thesolution is inadequate from the standpoint that it becomes a practical,if not an economic, impossibility to replace but a tiny fraction of thehair present in a normal healthy head of hair.

Other non-drug related approaches to the problem include such things asultra-violet radiation, massage, psychiatric treatment and exercisetherapy. None of these, however, has been generally accepted as beingeffective. Even such things as revascularization surgery and acupuncturehave shown little, if any, promise.

By far, the most common approach to the problem of discovering a remedyfor hair loss and male pattern alopecia has been one of drug therapy.Many types of drugs ranging from vitamins to hormones have been triedand only recently has there been any indication whatsoever of evenmoderate success. For instance, it was felt for a long time that sincean androgenic hormone was necessary for the development of male patternbaldness, that either systemic or topical application of anantiandrogenic hormone would provide the necessary inhibiting action tokeep the baldness from occurring. The theory was promising but theresults were uniformly disappointing.

The androgenic hormone testosterone was known, for example, to stimulatehair growth when applied topically to the deltoid area as well as wheninjected into the beard and pubic regions. Even oral administration wasfound to result in an increased hair growth in the beard and pubic areasas well as upon the trunk and extremities. While topical application tothe arm causes increased hair growth, it is ineffective on the scalp andsome thinning may even result. Heavy doses of testosterone have evenbeen known to cause male pattern alopecia.

Certain therapeutic agents have been known to induce hair growth inextensive areas of the trunk, limbs and even occasionally on the face.Such hair is of intermediate status in that it is coarser than vellusbut not as coarse as terminal hair. The hair is generally quite shortwith a length of 3 cm. being about maximum. Once the patient ceasestaking the drug, the hair reverts to whatever is normal for theparticular site after six months to a year has elapsed. An example ofsuch a drug is diphenylhydantoin which is an anticonvulsant drug widelyused to control epileptic seizures. Hypotrichosis is frequently observedin epileptic children some two or three months after starting the drugand first becomes noticeable on the extensor aspects of the limbs andlater on the trunk and face. (The same pattern of hypotrichosis issometimes caused by injury to the head.) As for the hair, it is oftenshed when the drug is discontinued but may, in some circumstances,remain.

Streptomycin is another drug that has been found to producehypotrichosis, in much the same way as diphenylhydantoin, whenadministered to children suffering from tuberculous meningitis. Aboutthe same effects were observed and the onset and reversal of thehypotrichosis in relation to the period of treatment with the antibioticleave little question but that it was the causative agent.

Two treatments have been demonstrated as showing some promise inreversing male pattern alopecia. These treatments include the use of amicroemulsion cream containing both estradiol and oxandrolone as itsactive ingredients and the use of organic silicon.

In addition to the foregoing, it has been reported in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,139,619 and 4,968,812, that the compound minoxidil is useful for thetreatment of male pattern baldness. That compound, among others, hasproven to have considerable therapeutic value in the treatment of severehypertension. It is a so-called anti-hypertensive “vasodilator” which,as the name implies, functions to dilate the peripheral vascular system.First introduced as an oral drug to treat high blood pressure, topicalsolutions and foam products were introduced to prevent or treat hairloss. Dermatologists and others have recognized that prolongedvasodilation of certain areas of the human body other than the scalpsometimes result in increased hair growth even in the absence of anyvasodilating therapeutic agent. For instance, increased hair growtharound surgical scars is not uncommon. Similarly, arteriovenous fistulahave been known to result in increased vascularity accompanied byenhanced hair growth. Externally-induced vasodilation of the skin, suchas, for example, by repeated biting of the limbs by the mentallyretarded and localized stimulation of the shoulders by water carries hasbeen known to bring on hypotrichosis in the affected areas. Be that asit may, similar techniques such as continued periodic massage of thescalp have been found to be totally ineffective as a means for restoringlost hair growth to the scalp. Scar tissue on the scalp inhibits ratherthan promotes hair growth.

Bimatoprost, which is sold by Allergan, Inc. of Irvine, Calif., U.S.A.as LATISSE®, is effective in treating hypotrichosis, alopecia and forgrowing hair.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to providea novel and effective combination treatment for the stimulation of hairgrowth and the treatment of male pattern baldness.

Still another objective is the provision of a treatment for thestimulation of hair growth including eyelashes, eyebrows and scalp andfacial hair which, while effective for its intended purpose, isnon-toxic and relatively free of unwanted side effects.

An additional object of the invention herein disclosed and claimed is toprovide a method for treating hair loss in men or women, including hairloss due to chemotherapy, which can be applied by the patient undermedical supervision no more stringent than that demanded for othertopically-administered therapeutic agents.

Finally, it is an object of this invention to enhance the growth ofeyelashes, eyebrows, scalp hair and facial hair in a human.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides pharmaceutical compositions for topicalapplication to enhance hair growth comprising an effective amountcyclopentane N-ethylheptanamide-5-cis-2-(3α-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1-trans-pentenyl)-3,5-dihydroxy,[1_(α),2_(α),3_(α),5_(α)], also known as bimatoprost, and minoxidil.Unpredictably, the combination of bimatoprost and minoxidilsynergistically decreases the time of initial hair growth and increasesthe rate of hair growth, as compared to bimatoprost or minoxidil, alone.

Another aspect of the invention provides methods for stimulating therate of hair growth and for stimulating the conversion of vellus hair orintermediate hair to growth as terminal hair in a human or non-human byadministering to the skin an effective amount of bimatoprost andminoxidil, wherein the combination of bimatoprost and minoxidil obtainsthe above results in a synergistic manner as compared to bimatoprost andminoxidil, alone.

The method of the present invention can be used to prevent hair loss, totreat hair loss, to treat or thicken thinning hair, loss of eyebrows,loss of eyelashes or facial hair, and can be used to treat all types ofalopecia, including hair loss due to chemotherapy and/or exposure to thechemicals or radiation, for treatment of effluviums including telogeneffluvium, alopecia areata, scarring alopecia, androgenetic alopecia,self-induced hair loss, congential hypotrichosis, hair loss due toinfection agents or disease, hair shaft defects, scleroderma, tineacapitis, alopecia totalis, alopecia universalis, traumatic alopecia,traction alopecia, hair loss due to hormonal changes, hair loss due tohyper and hypothyroidism, alopecia mucinosa, hair loss due to scalpinfection, syphilis, lupus and iron deficiency.

Some embodiments of the present invention include:

1. A method for enhancing hair growth in a mammal in need thereof whichcomprises administering to the mammal a synergistically effectiveamounts of bimatoprost and minoxidil.2. The method of paragraph 1 wherein said bimatoprost and said minoxidilare administered to a human.3. The method of paragraph 1 wherein bimatoprost and minoxidil areadministered as a composition comprising from 0.0000001% to 10%bimatoprost and from 0.001% to 10% minoxidil, by weight.4. The method of paragraph 3 wherein bimatoprost is provided as apharmaceutically acceptable salt.5. A method for enhancing hair growth activity of a compound selectedfrom the group consisting of bimatoprost and minoxidil following topicaladministration of one of said compounds to a mammal in need of treatmentto alleviate a condition characterized by inadequate or lack of hair,wherein said method comprises topically or otherwise co-administeringsaid compound to said animal with a synergistically effective amount ofthe other compound, wherein the amount of said other compound issufficient to enhance the hair growth activity of said compound.6. The method as described in paragraph 5 wherein said bimatoprost andsaid minoxidil is administered to a human.7. The method of paragraph 5 wherein bimatoprost and minoxidil areadministered as a composition comprising from 0.0000001% to 10%bimatoprost and from 0.001% to 10% minoxidil, by weight.8. The method of paragraph 5 wherein bimatoprost and minoxidil areprovided, topically, as a pharmaceutically-acceptable liquid.9. A method for alleviating a condition characterized by inadequate orlack of hair, in or on a mammal, which comprises topically or otherwiselocally administering to said mammal an effective amount of apharmaceutical composition comprising: (1) a combination of bimatoprostand minoxidil in a synergistically effective amount and (2) a non-toxic,pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefore suitable for topical orother local application.10. The method as described in paragraph 9 wherein said bimatoprost andsaid minoxidil are administered to a human.11. The method of paragraph 9 wherein bimatoprost and minoxidil areadministered as a composition comprising from 0.0000001% to 10%bimatoprost and from 0.001% to 10% minoxidil, by weight.12. The method of paragraph 9 wherein bimatoprost and minoxidil areprovided, topically, as a pharmaceutically-acceptable liquid.13. A method for the conversion of vellus hair or intermediate hair togrowth as terminal hair comprising the application to mammalian skin atthe locale of vellus hair of a combination of bimatoprost and minoxidilin a synergistically effective amount.14. The method as described in paragraph 13 wherein bimatoprost andminoxidil are administered to a human.15. The method of paragraph 13 wherein bimatoprost and minoxidil areadministered as a composition comprising from 0.0000001% to 10%bimatoprost and from 0.001% to 10% minoxidil, by weight.16. The method of paragraph 13 wherein bimatoprost and minoxidil areprovided, topically, as a pharmaceutically-acceptable liquid.17. A method for stimulating hair follicles to increase hair growth andone or more properties selected from the group consisting of luster,sheen, brilliance, gloss, glow, shine or patina of hair associated withthe follicles, comprising the application to mammalian skin at thelocale of the follicles of an effective amount of a combination ofbimatoprost and minoxidil in a synergistically effective amount.18. The method of paragraph 17 wherein bimatoprost and minoxidil areadministered as a composition comprising from 0.0000001% to 10%bimatoprost and from 0.001% to 10% minoxidil, by weight.19. The method of paragraph 17 bimatoprost and minoxidil are provided,topically, as a pharmaceutically-acceptable liquid.20. A composition of bimatoprost and minoxidil in a vehicle for topicalapplication to the skin of a mammal whereby the combination ofbimatoprost and minoxidil produces a faster onset of hair growth inhumans or other mammals and wherein said composition brings about asynergistic result of faster onset of hair growth as compared tocompositions comprising bimatoprost and minoxidil, alone.21. A method of treating or preventing alopecia caused by chemotherapywhich comprises applying to a patient in need thereof an effectiveamount of bimatoprost and minoxidil in association with a pharmaceuticalcarrier adapted for topical application to mammalian skin.22. The method of treating or preventing alopecia caused bychemotherapy, according to paragraph 21, which comprises applying to apatient in need thereof an effective amount of a foam comprising amixture of bimatoprost and minoxidil, said mixture being adapted fortopical application to mammalian skin as a foam produced from a foamableliquid composition, wherein said foamable liquid composition comprisesbimatoprost and minoxidil and a surfactant, wherein the surfactantoptionally includes a foam stabilizer; and an aqueous-alcohol solvent,wherein said aqueous-alcohol solvent comprises water and an alcohol.23. A foamable liquid composition, for use in the method of paragraph 1,comprising bimatoprost, minoxidil, a surfactant, wherein the surfactantoptionally includes a foam stabilizer; and an aqueous-alcohol solvent,comprising water and an alcohol.24. The composition of paragraph 23 wherein said foamable liquidcomposition further comprises an acid and a water soluble solvent,wherein said acid is an inorganic acid, or an organic acid containingeight carbons or less and said water soluble solvent is selected fromthe group consisting of butylene glycol, glycerin, polyglycerin,ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol.25. The composition of paragraph 24 wherein said alcohol is selectedfrom the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol and mixturesthereof.26. The composition of paragraph 25 wherein said acid is lactic acid andsaid water soluble solvent is propylene glycol.27. The composition of paragraph 26 wherein said lactic acid is providedat a concentration of from 0.5 to 5 percent, by weight, of the foamableliquid composition and said propylene glycol is provided in an amount offrom 1 to 20 percent, by weight, of the foamable liquid composition28. The composition of paragraph 27 wherein said alcohol is ethanol andis provided in an amount of from 1 to 50 percent, by weight, of thefoamable liquid composition.29. The composition of paragraph 28 wherein said surfactant is oleth-20and is provided in an amount of from 0.1 to 5 percent, by weight, of thefoamable liquid composition.30. The composition of paragraph 29 wherein said foam stabilizer islauryl glucoside and is provided in an amount of from 0.05 to 0.5percent, by weight, of said foamable liquid composition.31. A gel comprising bimatoprost and minoxidil in apharmaceutically-acceptable solvent comprising propylene glycol andalcohol and a cross-linked acrylic polymer thickening agent such as aCarbomer, e.g. Carbomer 934P, wherein the cross-linked acrylic polymerthickening agent is neutralized with a neutralizing agent such asdiisopropanolamine.32. A composition in the form of a gel comprising from 0.0000001% to 10%bimatoprost and from 0.001% to 10% minoxidil, by weight, a cross-linkedcopolymer of acrylic acid as a thickening agent, and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable solvent.33. The composition of paragraph 32 which comprises from 0.01% to 0.5%bimatoprost and from 1% to 5% minoxidil, by weight.34. The composition of paragraph 33 which comprises 0.03% bimatoprostand 5% minoxidil, by weight35. The composition of paragraph 32, wherein said pharmaceuticallyacceptable solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethanol,propanol, butanol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, hexyleneglycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, PEG-200, PEG-400, glycerol and mixturesthereof.36. The composition of paragraph 35, comprising a solvent selected fromthe group consisting of ethanol, propanol and butanol.37. The composition of paragraph 35, comprising a solvent selected fromthe group consisting of ethanol and isopropanol.38. The composition of paragraph 36, comprising a solvent selected fromthe group consisting of propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, hexyleneglycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, PEG-200, PEG-400, and glycerol.39. The composition of paragraph 38, wherein said solvent comprisespropylene glycol.40. A composition of paragraph 36, wherein said solvent comprises amixture comprising a first solvent selected from the group consisting ofethanol, propanol and butanol and a second solvent selected from thegroup consisting of propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, hexyleneglycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, PEG-200, PEG-400, and glycerol.41. The composition of paragraph 40, wherein said solvent comprises amixture of ethanol and propylene glycol.42. The composition of paragraph 41, further comprising a neutralizingagent.43. The composition of paragraph 42, wherein said neutralizing agent isselected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, arginine,2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, dimethanolamine, dibutanolamine,diisobutanolamine, tributanolamine, triisobutanolamine,tri-sec-butanolamine, tripropylamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine,triethanolamine, PEG-15 cocamine, diisopropanolamine,methylethanolamine, diisopropylamine, dipropylenetriamine, tromethamine,isopropylamine ethylene diamine, triisopropanolamine, tetrahydroxypropylethylenediamine, trimethamine, 2-aminobutanol, aminoethyl propanediol,aminomethyl propanediol, aminomethyl propanol, sodium hydroxide, andpotassium hydroxide.44. The composition of paragraph 43, wherein said neutralizing agent isselected from the group consisting of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol,diisopropanolamine, triisopropanolamine, and tetrahydroxypropylethylenediamine.45. The composition of paragraph 44, wherein said neutralizing agent is2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol.46. The composition of paragraph 36, wherein said solvent is present insaid composition in an amount of at least about 20%.47. The composition of paragraph 46 which comprises from about 20% toabout 99%, by weight, of said solvent.48. The composition of paragraph 36, wherein said cross-linked copolymerof acrylic acid comprises an acrylate/C₁₀₋₃₀ alkyl acrylate crosspolymer.49. The composition of paragraph 48 wherein said solvent is present insaid composition in an amount of at least about 20%.50. A composition in the form of a gel comprising: from about 5% toabout 8% of minoxidil and from about 0.01 to about 0.05 bimatoprost;from about 30% to about 80% of a first solvent selected from the groupconsisting of propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, hexylene glycol,1,3-butylene glycol, PEG-200, PEG-400, and glycerol; from about 10% toabout 50% a second solvent selected from the group consisting ofethanol, propanol and butanol; from about 0.01% to about 50% of across-linked copolymer of acrylic acid; from about 0% to about 3% of aneutralizing agent; and water.51. A method for enhancing hair growth in a human in need thereofcomprising administering to the human a synergistically effectiveamounts of bimatoprost and minoxidil.52. A method of paragraph 51 comprising administering to the human acomposition comprising from 0.0000001% to 10% w/w bimatoprost and from0.001% to 10% w/w minoxidil.53. The method of paragraph 51, wherein said bimatoprost and saidminoxidil are administered to a human in a composition comprising 0.1%w/w bimatoprost and about 5% w/w minoxidil.54. The method of paragraph 51 wherein said bimatoprost and saidminoxidil are administered to a human as a composition comprising 0.3%w/w bimatoprost and about 5% minoxidil, by weight55. The method as claimed in paragraph 51 wherein said bimatoprost andsaid minoxidil are administered to a human as a composition comprising0.3% bimatoprost and about 5% minoxidil, by weight56. The method of paragraph 52 wherein the composition is applied to thescalp.57. A composition comprising bimatoprost and minoxidil in a vehicle fortopical application to the skin of a human, whereby the combination ofbimatoprost and minoxidil in a single composition produces a fasteronset of hair growth in humans compared to the administration ofbimatoprost and minoxidil, alone.58. The composition of claim 57 wherein the composition is adapted fortopical application to mammalian skin as a foam, wherein said foamableliquid composition comprises bimatoprost and minoxidil and a surfactant,wherein the surfactant optionally includes a foam stabilizer; anaqueous-alcohol solvent, and wherein said aqueous-alcohol solventcomprises water and an alcohol.59. The composition of paragraph 57 wherein the composition is adaptedfor topical application to mammalian skin as a gel, wherein said gelcomprises bimatoprost and minoxidil and a surfactant.60. The composition of paragraph 57 wherein said foamable liquidcomposition further comprises an acid and a water soluble solvent,wherein said acid is an inorganic acid, or an organic acid containingeight carbons or less and said water soluble solvent is selected fromthe group consisting of butylene glycol, glycerin, polyglycerin,ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol and said alcohol is selected fromthe group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol and mixturesthereof.61. The composition of paragraph 60 wherein said acid is lactic acid andsaid water soluble solvent is propylene glycol.

62. A composition of paragraph 59 wherein the gel is comprising of about30% to about 80% of a first solvent selected from the group consistingof propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, hexylene glycol, 1,3-butyleneglycol, PEG-200, PEG-400, and glycerol; from about 10% to about 50% asecond solvent selected from the group consisting of ethanol, propanoland butanol; from about 0.01% to about 50% of a crosslinked copolymer ofacrylic acid; from about 0% to about 3% of a neutralizing agent andwater.

63. The composition of paragraph 57 wherein the composition is usefulfor treating hair loss or to prevent hair loss.64. The composition of paragraph 63 wherein the composition comprises0.1% w/w bimatoprost and 5% w/w minoxidil.65. The composition of paragraph 57 wherein the composition is useful inthe treatment of alopecia areata.66. The composition of paragraph 57 wherein the composition is useful inthe treatment of hair loss due to chemotherapy.67. The composition of paragraph 57 wherein the composition is useful inthe treatment of hair loss due to telogen effluvium, alopecia areata,scarring alopecia, androgenetic alopecia, self-induced hair loss,congenital hypotrichosis, hair loss due to infectious agents or disease,hair shaft defects, scleroderma, tinea capitis, alopecia totalis,alopecia universalis, traumatic alopecia, traction alopecia, hair lossdue to hormonal changes, hair loss due to hyper and hypothyroidism,alopecia mucinosa, hair loss due to scalp infection, and hair loss dueto syphilis, lupus and iron deficiency.68. The composition of paragraph 57 wherein the composition is appliedto one selected from the group consisting of the eyelid margin, eyebrowregion or scalp.69. The composition of paragraph 57 wherein the composition is appliedat least once a day.

70. The composition of paragraph 57 wherein the composition comprises0.3% w/w bimatoprost and 5% w/w minoxidil.

The terms “effective amount,” “therapeutically effective amount” or“pharmaceutically effective amount” as used herein refers to that amountof the therapeutic agent sufficient to ameliorate one or more aspects ofthe disorder. The result can be reduction and/or alleviation of thesigns, symptoms, or causes of a disease, or any other desired alterationof a biological system. For example, an “effective amount” fortherapeutic uses is the amount of the composition comprising an agent asset forth herein required to provide a clinically significant decreasein an ophthalmic disease. For example, for the given aspect (e.g.,length of incidence), a therapeutically effective amount will show anincrease or decrease of at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 40%, 50%, 60%,75%, 80%, 90%, or at least 100%. Therapeutic efficacy can also beexpressed as “-fold” increase or decrease. For example, atherapeutically effective amount can have at least a 1.2-fold, 1.5-fold,2-fold, 5-fold, or more effect over a control. An appropriate“effective” amount in any individual case may be determined usingtechniques, such as a dose escalation study.

Treating” or “treatment” as used herein (and as well-understood in theart) also broadly includes any approach for obtaining beneficial ordesired results in a subject's condition, including clinical results.Beneficial or desired clinical results can include, but are not limitedto, alleviation or amelioration of one or more symptoms or conditions,diminishment of the extent of a disease, stabilizing (i.e., notworsening) the state of disease, prevention of a disease's transmissionor spread, delay or slowing of disease progression, amelioration orpalliation of the disease state, diminishment of the reoccurrence ofdisease, and remission, whether partial or total and whether detectableor undetectable. In other words, “treatment” as used herein includes anycure, amelioration, or prevention of a disease. Treatment may preventthe disease from occurring; inhibit the disease's spread; relieve thedisease's symptoms (e.g., ocular pain, seeing halos around lights, redeye, very high intraocular pressure), fully or partially remove thedisease's underlying cause, shorten a disease's duration, or do acombination of these things.

“Treating” and “treatment” as used herein include prophylactictreatment. Treatment methods include administering to a subject atherapeutically effective amount of an active agent. The administeringstep may consist of a single administration or may include a series ofadministrations. The length of the treatment period depends on a varietyof factors, such as the severity of the condition, the age of thepatient, the concentration of active agent, the activity of thecompositions used in the treatment, or a combination thereof. It willalso be appreciated that the effective dosage of an agent used for thetreatment or prophylaxis may increase or decrease over the course of aparticular treatment or prophylaxis regime. Changes in dosage may resultand become apparent by standard diagnostic assays known in the art. Insome instances, chronic administration may be required. For example, thecompositions are administered to the subject in an amount and for aduration sufficient to treat the patient.

The term “disease” refers to any deviation from the normal health of amammal and includes a state when disease symptoms are present, as wellas conditions in which a deviation (e.g., infection, gene mutation,genetic defect, etc.) has occurred, but symptoms are not yet manifested.According to the present invention, the methods disclosed herein aresuitable for use in a patient that is a member of the Vertebrate class,Mammalia, including, without limitation, primates, livestock anddomestic pets (e.g., a companion animal). Typically, a patient will be ahuman patient.

As used herein, “topical application,” “topical administration,” and“topically administering” are used interchangeably herein and includethe administration of a composition to the upper and/or lower eyelidmargin, eyebrow region, scalp or face. Topical application oradministering may result in the delivery of an active agent to the eyeor skin or a localized region of the body.

“Topical formulation” and “topical pharmaceutical composition” are usedinterchangeably herein and include a formulation that is suitable fortopical application to the upper and/or lower eyelid margin, eyebrowregion, scalp or face Specific topical formulations can be used fortopical, local, regional, or transdermal application of substances.

As used herein, the terms “application,” “apply,” and “applying” used inreference to a topical composition product or method of using acomposition or a product, refer to any manner of administering a topicalcomposition or a product to the eye, the mucosal or dermal area proximalto the eye of a patient which, in medical or cosmetology practice,delivers the composition or the product to patient's eye, the mucosal ordermal area proximal to the eye. Smearing, rubbing, spreading, sprayinga topical composition, with or without the aid of suitable devices, on apatient's skin are all included within the scope of the term“application,” as used herein. The term “topical” or “topically” inreference to administration or application of a composition or a productrefers to epicutaneous administration or application, or administrationonto skin. The term “topically active agent” as used herein refers to acompound that is effective in a treatment of a skin condition whenadministered topically. It is to be understood that topically activeagent can have a local or a systemic effect, or both, when administeredtopically. The term “topical,” when used in reference to a compositionor a product refers to a composition or a product formulated for topicalapplication.

The abbreviations used herein have their conventional meaning within thechemical, biological or pharmaceutical arts.

The terms “about” and “approximately equal” are used herein to modify anumerical value and indicate a defined range around that value. If “X”were the value, “about X” or “approximately equal to X” would generallyindicate a value from 0.90X to 1.10X. Any reference to “about X”minimally indicates at least the values X, 0.90X, 0.91X, 0.92X, 0.93X,0.94X, 0.95X, 0.96X, 0.97X, 0.98X, 0.99X, 1.01X, 1.02X, 1.03X, 1.04X,1.05X, 1.06X, 1.07X, 1.08X, 1.09X, and 1.10X. Thus, “about X” isintended to disclose, e.g., “0.98X.” When “about” is applied to thebeginning of a numerical range, it applies to both ends of the range.Thus, “from about 6 to 8.5” is equivalent to “from about 6 to about8.5.” When “about” is applied to the first value of a set of values, itapplies to all values in that set. Thus, “about 7, 9, or 11%” isequivalent to “about 7%, about 9%, or about 11%.” “About” may alsoinclude variations in the amount that a regulatory body such as the FDAor EMEA would view as bioequivalent to the claimed amount.

As used herein, the phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers tosalts of the active compound(s) which possess the same pharmacologicalactivity as the active compound(s) and which are neither biologicallynor otherwise undesirable. A salt can be formed with, for example,organic or inorganic acids. Non-limiting examples of suitable acidsinclude acetic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, adipic acid, alginic acid,ascorbic acid, aspartic acid, benzoic acid, benzenesulfonic acid,bisulfic acid, boric acid, butyric acid, camphoric acid, camphorsulfonicacid, carbonic acid, citric acid, cyclopentanepropionic acid, digluconicacid, dodecylsulfic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, formic acid, fumaricacid, glyceric acid, glycerophosphoric acid, glycine, glucoheptanoicacid, gluconic acid, glutamic acid, glutaric acid, glycolic acid,hemisulfic acid, heptanoic acid, hexanoic acid, hippuric acid,hydrobromic acid, hydrochloric acid, hydroiodic acid,hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, lactic acid, maleic acid, malic acid,malonic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, mucic acid,naphthylanesulfonic acid, naphthylic acid, nicotinic acid, nitrous acid,oxalic acid, pelargonic, phosphoric acid, propionic acid, saccharin,salicylic acid, sorbic acid, succinic acid, sulfuric acid, tartaricacid, thiocyanic acid, thioglycolic acid, thiosulfuric acid, tosylicacid, undecylenic acid, naturally and synthetically derived amino acids.Non-limiting examples of base salts include ammonium salts; alkali metalsalts, such as sodium and potassium salts; alkaline earth metal salts,such as calcium and magnesium salts; salts with organic bases, such asdicyclohexylamine salts; methyl-D-glucamine; and salts with amino acids,such as arginine, lysine, and so forth. Also, the basicnitrogen-containing groups can be quaternized with such agents as loweralkyl halides, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl chlorides,bromides, and iodides; dialkyl sulfates, such as dimethyl, diethyl,dibutyl, and diamyl sulfates; long chain halides, such as decyl, lauryl,myristyl, and stearyl chlorides, bromides, and iodides; asthma halides,such as benzyl and phenethyl bromides; and others.

“Prodrugs” refer to compounds which are a precursor of a compound andthat is converted into its active form, for example, in the body bynormal metabolic processes.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from thedescription of the invention which follows below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the results of a test of the effect of the vehicle in amouse model of hair growth;

FIG. 2 shows the results of a test of the effect of 0.03% Bimatoprost,alone, in a mouse model of hair growth;

FIG. 3 shows the results of a test of the effect 5% Rogaine (minoxidil),alone, in a mouse model of hair growth;

FIG. 4 shows the results of a test of the effect of a synergisticcomposition, i.e. 0.03% Bimatoprost and 5% Rogaine (minoxidil) in amouse model of hair growth;

FIG. 5 is a summary of the results of the tests of FIGS. 1 through 4;

FIG. 6 shows the results of a test of the effect of the vehicle in amouse model of hair growth;

FIG. 7 shows the results of a test of the effect of 0.03% Bimatoprost,alone, in a mouse model of hair growth;

FIG. 8 shows the results of a test of the effect 5% Rogaine (minoxidil),alone, in a mouse model of hair growth; and

FIG. 9 shows the results of a 42 day study showing 0.03% bimatoprost incomparison to 0.03% bimatoprost and 5% minoxidil.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Alopecia (baldness) a deficiency of either normal or abnormal hair isprimarily a cosmetic problem in humans. It is a deficiency of terminalhair, the broad diameter, colored hair that is readily seen. However, inthe so-called bald person although there is a noticeable absence ofterminal hair, the skin does contain vellus hair which is a finecolorless hair which may require microscopic examination to determineits presence. This vellus hair is a precursor to terminal hair.

Drug synergism occurs when drugs can interact in ways that enhance ormagnify one or more effects, or side effects, of those drugs. Negativeeffects of synergy are a form of contraindication such as when more thanone depressant drug is used that affects the central nervous system(CNS), an example being alcohol and Valium. The combination can cause agreater reaction than simply the sum of the individual effects of eachdrug if they were used separately. In this particular case, the mostserious consequence of drug synergy is exaggerated respiratorydepression, which can be fatal if left untreated.

Synergism has also been noted in describing how complex systems operate.For example, biological systems may react in a non-linear way toperturbations, so that the outcome may be greater than the sum of theindividual component alterations.

In describing the present invention, synergism means that thecombination of the two active drugs, utilized in the methods andcompositions of the invention achieves a result, e.g. stimulating thegrowth of hair such as eyelashes, in a mammal, e.g. a human, that isgreater than the result achieved when the active drugs are utilized,alone, under the same conditions. Thus, to determine the combinationsthat are within the scope of the present invention, one may simplycompare the result achieved by the combination of the two drugs with theresult achieved with each of the individual drugs, alone.

In accordance with the invention as described herein, there is provideda method for enhancing hair growth in a mammal in need thereof whichcomprises administering to the mammal a synergistically effective amountof bimatoprost and minoxidil. Thus, in accordance with the presentinvention, synergistically effective amounts of bimatoprost andminoxidil are used to stimulate the conversion of vellus hair to growthas terminal hair as well as increase the rate of growth of terminalhair.

In said method of this invention, the concentration of bimatoprost andminoxidil are administered as a composition comprising from 0.0000001%to 10% bimatoprost and from 0.001% to 10% minoxidil, by weight.

Some concentrations of minoxidil include from about 0.001 to about 5 toabout 10% w/w, from about 0.005 to about 5, from about 0.01 to about 5,from about 0.05 to about 5, from about 0.1 to about 5, from about 0.5 toabout 5, from about 1 to about 5, from about 1.5 to about 5, from about2 to about 5, from about 2.5 to about 5, from about 3 to about 5, fromabout 3.5 to about 5, from about 4 to about 5, from about 4.5, fromabout 0.001 to about 4.5, from about 0.005 to about 4.5, from about 0.01to about 4.5, from about 0.05 to about 4.5, from about 0.1 to about 4.5,from about 0.5 to about 4.5, from about 1 to about 4.5, from about 1.5to about 4.5, from about 2 to about 4.5, from about 2.5 to about 4.5,from about 3 to about 4.5, from about 3.5 to about 4.5, from about 4 toabout 4.5, from about 0.001 to about 4, from about 0.005 to about 4,from about 0.01 to about 4, from about 0.05 to about 4, from about 0.1to about 4, from about 0.5 to about 4, from about 1 to about 4, fromabout 1.5 to about 4, from about 2 to about 4, from about 2.5 to about4, from about 3 to about 4, from about 3.5 to about 4, from about 0.001to about 3.5, from about 0.005 to about 3.5, from about 0.01 to about3.5, from about 0.05 to about 3.5, from about 0.1 to about 3.5, fromabout 0.5 to about 3.5, from about 1 to about 3.5, from about 1.5 toabout 3.5, from about 2 to about 3.5, from about 2.5 to about 3.5, fromabout 3 to about 3.5, from about 0.001 to about 3, from about 0.005 toabout 3, from about 0.01 to about 3, from about 0.05 to about 3, fromabout 0.1 to about 3, from about 0.5 to about 3, from about 1 to about3, from about 1.5 to about 3, from about 2 to about 3, from about 2.5 toabout 3, from about 0.001 to about 2.5, from about 0.005 to about 2.5,from about 0.01 to about 2.5, from about 0.05 to about 2.5, from about0.1 to about 2.5, from about 0.5 to about 2.5, from about 1 to about2.5, from about 1.5 to about 2.5, from about 2 to about 2.5, from about0.001 to about 2, from about 0.005 to about 2, from about 0.01 to about2, from about 0.05 to about 2, from about 0.1 to about 2, from about 0.5to about 2, from about 1 to about 2, from about 1.5 to about 2, fromabout 0.001 to about 1.5, from about 0.005 to about 1.5, from about 0.01to about 1.5, from about 0.05 to about 1.5, from about 0.1 to about 1.5,from about 0.5 to about 1.5, from about 1 to about 1.5, from about 0.001to about 1, from about 0.005 to about 1, from about 0.01 to about 1,from about 0.05 to about 1, from about 0.1 to about 1, from about 0.5 toabout 1, from about 0.001 to about 0.5, from about 0.005 to about 0.5,from about 0.01 to about 0.5, from about 0.05 to about 0.5, from about0.1 to about 0.5, from about 0.001 to about 0.1, from about 0.005 toabout 0.1, from about 0.01 to about 0.1, from about 0.05 to about 0.1,from about 0.001 to about 0.05, from about 0.005 to about 0.05, fromabout 0.01 to about 0.05, or from about 0.001 to about 0.005% (w/w). Insome embodiments, the minoxidil is present at about 0.001, 0.005, 0.01,0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, or 5% (w/w).

Minoxidil may also be present in 5.5% w/w to about 10% w/w, from about6% w/w to about 10% w/w, from about 6.5% w/w to about 10% w/w, fromabout 7% w/w to about 10% w/w, from about 7.5% w/w to about 10% w/w,from about 8% w/w to about 10% w/w, from about 8.5% w/w to about 10%w/w, from about 9% w/w to about 10% w/w, from about 9.5% w/w to about10% w/w, from about 5% w/w to about 9.5% w/w, 5.5% w/w to about 9.5%w/w, from about 6% w/w to about 9.5% w/w, from about 6.5% w/w to about9.5% w/w, from about 7% w/w to about 9.5% w/w, from about 7.5% w/w toabout 9.5% w/w, from about 8% w/w to about 9.5% w/w, from about 8.5% w/wto about 9.5% w/w, from about 9% w/w to about 9.5% w/w, from about 5%w/w to about 9% w/w, 5.5% w/w to about 9% w/w, from about 6% w/w toabout 9% w/w, from about 6.5% w/w to about 9% w/w, from about 7% w/w toabout 9% w/w, from about 7.5% w/w to about 9% w/w, from about 8% w/w toabout 9% w/w, from about 8.5% w/w to about 9% w/w, from about 5% w/w toabout 8.5% w/w, 5.5% w/w to about 8.5% w/w, from about 6% w/w to about8.5% w/w, from about 6.5% w/w to about 8.5% w/w, from about 7% w/w toabout 8.5% w/w, from about 7.5% w/w to about 8.5% w/w, from about 8% w/wto about 8.5% w/w, from about 5% w/w to about 8% w/w, 5.5% w/w to about8% w/w, from about 6% w/w to about 8% w/w, from about 6.5% w/w to about8% w/w, from about 7% w/w to about 8% w/w, from about 7.5% w/w to about8% w/w, from about 5% w/w to about 7.5 w/w, 5.5% w/w to about 7.5 w/w,from about 6% w/w to about 7.5 w/w, from about 6.5% w/w to about 7.5w/w, from about 7% w/w to about 7.5% w/w, from about 5% w/w to about 7%w/w, 5.5% w/w to about 7% w/w, from about 6% w/w to about 7% w/w, fromabout 6.5% w/w to about 7% w/w, from about 5% w/w to about 6.5% w/w,5.5% w/w to about 6.5% w/w, or from about 6% w/w to about 6.5% w/w. Insome embodiments, minoxidil is present at about 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5,8, 8.5, 9, 9.5 or 10% (w/w).

Bimatoprost may be present at 0.1 or 0.3% w/v. Other concentrations thatbimatoprost may be present are about 0.005 to about 5, from about 0.01to about 5, from about 0.05 to about 5, from about 0.1 to about 5, fromabout 0.5 to about 5, from about 1 to about 5, from about 1.5 to about5, from about 2 to about 5, from about 2.5 to about 5, from about 3 toabout 5, from about 3.5 to about 5, from about 4 to about 5, from about4.5, from about 0.001 to about 4.5, from about 0.005 to about 4.5, fromabout 0.01 to about 4.5, from about 0.05 to about 4.5, from about 0.1 toabout 4.5, from about 0.5 to about 4.5, from about 1 to about 4.5, fromabout 1.5 to about 4.5, from about 2 to about 4.5, from about 2.5 toabout 4.5, from about 3 to about 4.5, from about 3.5 to about 4.5, fromabout 4 to about 4.5, from about 0.001 to about 4, from about 0.005 toabout 4, from about 0.01 to about 4, from about 0.05 to about 4, fromabout 0.1 to about 4, from about 0.5 to about 4, from about 1 to about4, from about 1.5 to about 4, from about 2 to about 4, from about 2.5 toabout 4, from about 3 to about 4, from about 3.5 to about 4, from about0.001 to about 3.5, from about 0.005 to about 3.5, from about 0.01 toabout 3.5, from about 0.05 to about 3.5, from about 0.1 to about 3.5,from about 0.5 to about 3.5, from about 1 to about 3.5, from about 1.5to about 3.5, from about 2 to about 3.5, from about 2.5 to about 3.5,from about 3 to about 3.5, from about 0.001 to about 3, from about 0.005to about 3, from about 0.01 to about 3, from about 0.05 to about 3, fromabout 0.1 to about 3, from about 0.5 to about 3, from about 1 to about3, from about 1.5 to about 3, from about 2 to about 3, from about 2.5 toabout 3, from about 0.001 to about 2.5, from about 0.005 to about 2.5,from about 0.01 to about 2.5, from about 0.05 to about 2.5, from about0.1 to about 2.5, from about 0.5 to about 2.5, from about 1 to about2.5, from about 1.5 to about 2.5, from about 2 to about 2.5, from about0.001 to about 2, from about 0.005 to about 2, from about 0.01 to about2, from about 0.05 to about 2, from about 0.1 to about 2, from about 0.5to about 2, from about 1 to about 2, from about 1.5 to about 2, fromabout 0.001 to about 1.5, from about 0.005 to about 1.5, from about 0.01to about 1.5, from about 0.05 to about 1.5, from about 0.1 to about 1.5,from about 0.5 to about 1.5, from about 1 to about 1.5, from about 0.001to about 1, from about 0.005 to about 1, from about 0.01 to about 1,from about 0.05 to about 1, from about 0.1 to about 1, from about 0.5 toabout 1, from about 0.001 to about 0.5, from about 0.005 to about 0.5,from about 0.01 to about 0.5, from about 0.05 to about 0.5, from about0.1 to about 0.5, from about 0.001 to about 0.1, from about 0.005 toabout 0.1, from about 0.01 to about 0.1, from about 0.05 to about 0.1,from about 0.001 to about 0.05, from about 0.005 to about 0.05, fromabout 0.01 to about 0.05, or from about 0.001 to about 0.005% (w/w). Insome embodiments, bimatoprost is present at about 0.001, 0.005, 0.01,0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, or 5% (w/w).

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for enhancinghair growth activity of a compound selected from the group consisting ofbimatoprost and minoxidil following topical administration of one ofsaid compounds to a warm-blooded animal in need of treatment toalleviate a condition characterized by inadequate or lack of hair,wherein said method comprises topically or otherwise co-administeringsaid compound to said animal with a synergistically effective amount ofthe other compound, wherein the amount of said other compound issufficient to enhance the hair growth activity of said compound.

Preferably, in this aspect of the method of this invention theconcentration bimatoprost and minoxidil are administered as acomposition comprising from 0.0000001% to 10% bimatoprost and from0.001% to 10% minoxidil, by weight.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method foralleviating a condition characterized by inadequate or lack of hair, inor on a warm-blooded animal, which comprises topically or otherwiselocally administering to said animal an effective amount of apharmaceutical composition comprising: (1) a combination of bimatoprostand minoxidil in a synergistically effective amount and (2) a non-toxic,pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefore suitable for topical orother local application.

In a still further aspect of the invention there is provided a methodfor the conversion of vellus hair or intermediate hair to growth asterminal hair comprising the application to mammalian skin at the localeof vellus hair of a combination of bimatoprost and minoxidil in asynergistically effective amount.

Finally, the instant invention provides a method for stimulating hairfollicles to increase hair growth and one or more properties selectedfrom the group consisting of luster, sheen, brilliance, gloss, glow,shine or patina of hair associated with the follicles, comprising theapplication to mammalian skin at the locale of the follicles of aneffective amount of a combination of bimatoprost and minoxidil in asynergistically effective amount.

In addition to the disclosed methods of this invention there is provideda composition of bimatoprost and minoxidil in a vehicle for topicalapplication to the skin of a mammal whereby the combination ofbimatoprost and minoxidil produces a faster onset of hair growth inhumans or animals and wherein said composition brings about asynergistic result of faster onset of hair growth as compared tocompositions comprising bimatoprost and minoxidil, alone.

It has now been surprisingly found that the use of bimatoprost incombination with minoxidil improves the results achieved withbimatoprost, alone. Indeed, this improvement is synergistic in nature,in that the results in improving or enhancing the growth of hair aregreater than those obtained with minoxidil, alone, as well.

One of the compounds used in the practice of the present invention iscyclopentane N-ethylheptanamide-5-cis-2-(3α-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1-trans-pentenyl)-3,5-dihydroxy,[1_(α),2_(α),3_(α),5_(α)], also known as bimatoprost and sold under thename of Lumigan® by Allergan, Inc., California, USA. This compound hasthe following structure:

The synthesis of the compound, described above, has been disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,607,978 which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety. This patent also shows that it does not behave as aprostaglandin in art-recognized assays for prostaglandin activity. Theinvention thus relates to the use of the above compound, or saltsthereof for the stimulation of hair growth. As used herein, hair growthincludes hair associated with the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, beard, andother areas of the skin of animals. Bimatoprost also includesbimatoprost prodrugs, salts and isomers.

The other compound, minoxidil is a vasodilator medication known for itsability to slow or stop hair loss and promote hair regrowth. It isavailable over the counter for treatment of androgenic alopecia, amongother baldness treatments, but measurable changes disappear withinmonths after discontinuation of treatment. Minoxidil has the structure

and may include physiologically acceptable salts, prodrugs and isomers.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the drugs, i.e.bimatoprost and minoxidil, are mixed with a dermatologically compatiblevehicle or carrier. The vehicle which may be employed for preparingcompositions of this invention may comprise, for example, aqueoussolutions such as e.g., physiological salines, oil solutions orointments. The vehicle furthermore may contain dermatologicallycompatible preservatives such as e.g., benzalkonium chloride,surfactants like e.g., polysorbate 80, liposomes or polymers, forexample, methyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone andhyaluronic acid; these may be used for increasing the viscosity.Furthermore, it is also possible to use soluble or insoluble druginserts when the drug is to be administered.

The invention is also related to dermatological compositions for topicaltreatment for the stimulation of hair growth, which comprise aneffective hair growth stimulating amount of bimatoprost and minoxidiland a dermatologically compatible carrier. Effective amounts of theactive compounds may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the artbut will vary depending on the frequency of application and desiredresult, and bimatoprost will range from about 0.0000001 to about 10%, byweight, of the dermatological composition, preferably from about 0.001to about 10%, by weight, of total dermatological composition, morepreferably from about 0.03 to about 5%, by weight, of the compositionand minoxidil will range from about 0.001 to about 10%, by weight, ofthe dermatological composition, preferably from about 0.01 to about 10%,by weight, of the composition.

The following specific combinations of bimatoprost and minoxidil in adermatologically compatible carrier are contemplated as being effectiveto achieve the object of this invention, i.e. enhancing hair growth in amammal in need thereof by administering to the mammal an effectiveamount of bimatoprost and minoxidil: Certain of these combinations aresynergistic. Other specific combinations within the scope of theconcentrations, given below, i.e. 0.1 to 10 percent minoxidil and 0.01and 0.5 bimatoprost are also contemplated as useful in the method of thepresent invention.

TABLE I Bimatoprost Minoxidil Weight percent w/w Weight percent w/w 0.01any one of 0.1, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 and 10.0;0.02 and any one of 0.1, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 and10.0; 0.03 and any one of 0.1, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0,9.0 and 10.0; 0.04 and any one of 0.1, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0,7.0, 8.0, 9.0 and 10.0; 0.05 and any one of 0.1, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0,5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 and 10.0; 0.1 and any one of 0.1, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0,4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 and 10.0; 0.2 and any one of 0.1, 1.0, 2.0,3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 and 10.0; 0.3 and any one of 0.1, 1.0,2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 and 10.0; 0.5 and any one of 0.1,1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 and 10.0 and 1.0 and any oneof 0.1, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 and 10.0.

In particular, the following specific combinations of bimatoprost andminoxidil in a dermatologically compatible carrier are contemplated asbeing effective to achieve the object of this invention, i.e. enhancinghair growth in a mammal in need thereof by administering to the mammalan effective amount of bimatoprost and minoxidil:

TABLE 2 Bimatoprost Minoxidil Weight percent w/w Weight percent w/w 0.010.1 0.01 1.0 0.02 2.0 0.03 3.0 0.04 4.0 0.05 5.0 0.06 6.0 0.07 7.0 0.18.0 0.3 9.0 0.5 10.0

The present invention finds application in all mammalian species,including both humans and animals. In humans, the compounds of thesubject invention can be applied for example, to the scalp, face, beard,head, pubic area, upper lip, eyebrows, and eyelids. In animals raisedfor their pelts, e.g., mink, the drug can be applied over the entiresurface of the body to improve the overall pelt for commercial reasons.The process can also be used for cosmetic reasons in animals, e.g.,applied to the skin of dogs and cats having bald patches due to mange orother diseases causing a degree of alopecia.

The pharmaceutical compositions contemplated by this invention includepharmaceutical compositions suited for topical and local action.

The term “topical” as employed herein relates to the use of a compound,as described herein, incorporated in a suitable pharmaceutical carrier,and applied at the site of thinning hair or baldness for exertion oflocal action. Accordingly, such topical compositions include thosepharmaceutical forms in which the compound is applied externally bydirect contact with the skin surface to be treated. Conventionalpharmaceutical forms for this purpose include ointments, liniments,creams, shampoos, lotions, pastes, jellies, sprays, aerosols, and thelike, and may be applied in patches or impregnated dressings dependingon the part of the body to be treated. The term “ointment” embracesformulations (including creams) having oleaginous, water-soluble andemulsion-type bases, e.g., petrolatum, lanolin, polyethylene glycols, aswell as mixtures of these.

Typically, the drug is applied repeatedly for a sustained period of timetopically on the part of the body to be treated, for example, theeyelids, eyebrows, skin or scalp. The preferred dosage regimen willgenerally involve regular, such as daily, administration for a period oftreatment of at least one month, more preferably at least three months,and most preferably at least six months.

For topical use on the eyelids or eyebrows, the drug can be formulatedin aqueous solutions, creams, ointments or oils exhibitingphysiologically acceptable osmolarity by addition of pharmacologicallyacceptable buffers and salts. Such formulations may or may not,depending on the dispenser, contain preservatives such as benzalkoniumchloride, chlorhexidine, chlorobutanol, parahydroxybenzoic acids andphenylmercuric salts such as nitrate, chloride, acetate, and borate, orantioxidants, as well as additives like EDTA, sorbitol, boric acid etc.as additives. Furthermore, particularly aqueous solutions may containviscosity increasing agents such as polysaccharides, e.g.,methylcellulose, mucopolysaccharides, e.g., hyaluronic acid andchondroitin sulfate, or polyalcohol, e.g., polyvinylalcohol. Variousslow releasing gels and matrices may also be employed as well as solubleand insoluble ocular inserts, for instance, based on substances formingin-situ gels. Depending on the actual formulation, various amounts ofthe drug and different dose regimens may be employed. Typically, thedaily amount of each of bimatoprost and minoxidil for treatment of theeyelid may be from about 0.1 ng to about 100 mg per eyelid.

For topical use on the skin and the scalp, the drug can beadvantageously formulated using ointments, creams, liniments or patchesas a carrier of the active ingredient. Also, these formulations may ormay not contain preservatives, depending on the dispenser and nature ofuse. Such preservatives include those mentioned above, and methyl-,propyl-, or butyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid, betain, chlorhexidine,benzalkonium chloride, and the like. Various matrices for slow releasedelivery may also be used. To achieve the daily amount of medicationdepending on the formulation, the compound may be administered once orseveral times daily with or without antioxidants.

The invention is further illustrated by the following non-limitingexamples.

Example 1 In Vivo Treatment

A study is initiated to systematically evaluate the appearance of lashesand hair around the eyes of patients by administering a topicalcomposition comprising 0.03% bimatoprost and 5% minoxidil, by weight, inthe area of the eyelid of only one eye. The study involves 10 subjects,5 male, 5 female, average age 70 years, (ranging from 50-94 years). Eachsubject is treated daily by the topical application of one drop ofbimatoprost at a dosage of 1.5 μg/ml/eye/day to the region of one eye byinstilling the drop onto the surface of the eyelid. The region of thefellow control eye is not treated and served as a control.

Observations are made under high magnification at the slit lampbiomicroscope. Documentation of differences between the control andtreatment areas is accomplished using a camera specially adapted for usewith the slit lamp biomicroscope.

The results of the observations will be as follows:

Length of lashes: Increased length of eyelashes is regularly observed onthe side treated with bimatoprost. The difference in length varies fromapproximately 10% to as much as 30%.

Number of lashes: Increased numbers of lashes are observed in thetreated eye of each patient. In areas where there are a large number oflashes in the control eye, the increased number of lashes in the treatedeye gave the lashes on the treated side a more thickly matted overallappearance.

Auxiliary lash-like hair growth: Several patients have an apparentincrease in lash-like hair in transitional areas adjacent to areas ofnormal lash distribution. These prominent robust appear lash-like hairsappeared to be of comparable length to the actual lashes. These long,thick lash-like hairs were present in the central portion of the lids ofseveral patients in a linear arrangement just above the lash line. Hairsare present at similar locations in the control eyes but are by contrastthinner or finer in appearance, have less luster and pigment and aremore flat against the skin of the lid typical of vellus or intermediatehairs. In several patients, lash-like terminal hairs grow luxuriantly inthe medial canthal area in the treated eye. In the corresponding controleye, vellus hairs are seen at the same location. Lash-like hairs arealso present in the lateral canthal area of the treated eye but not thecontrol eye in several subjects. Large lashes are not normally presentat the lateral canthus and the area is generally free of all but a fewoccasional very fine lashes or vellus hairs.

Increased growth of vellus hair on lids: Fine microscopic vellus hair ispresent on the skin of the lids and is easily seen with the slit lampbiomicroscope. This vellus hair is typically denser adjacent to andbelow the lateral portion of the lower lids. While remainingmicroscopic, vellus hairs are increased in number appear more robust andare much longer and thicker in treated than in control eyes in the areasbelow and lateral to the lower lid.

Perpendicular angulation of hairs: In areas where there are lash-likehairs above the lash line and in the medial and lateral canthal areas,the hairs are much longer, thicker and heavier. They also leave thesurface of the skin at a more acute angle, as though they are stiffer orheld in a more erect position by more robust follicles. This greaterincline, pitch, rise or perpendicular angulation from the skin surfacegives the appearance of greater density of the hairs.

The foregoing observations will clearly establish that above compositioncan be used to increase the growth of hair in man. This conclusion isbased on the regular and consistent finding of manifestations ofincreased hair growth in treated vs. control areas in human subjects.The conclusion that the composition of this invention is capable ofinducing increased robust growth of hair is based not on a singleparameter, i.e., length, but is based on multiple lines of evidence asdescribed in the results. Detailed examination and description ofmultiple parameters of differences in hair is greatly facilitated by theability to examine the hairs at high magnification under stableconditions of fixed focal length and subject position utilizing thecapabilities of the slitlamp biomicroscope.

Example 2 Topical Cream

A topical cream is prepared as follows: Tegacid and spermaceti aremelted together at a temperature of 70-80° C. Methylparaben is dissolvedin about 500 gm of water and propylene glycol, polysorbate 80, andbimatoprost and minoxidil are added in turn, maintaining a temperatureof 75-80° C. The methylparaben mixture is added slowly to the Tegacidand spermaceti melt, with constant stirring. The addition is continuedfor at least 30 minutes with additional stirring until the temperaturehas dropped to 40-45° C. Finally, sufficient water is added to bring thefinal weight to 1000 gm and the preparation stirred to maintainhomogeneity until cooled and congealed.

Example 3

A topical cream is prepared as follows: Tegacid and spermaceti aremelted together at a temperature of 70-80° C. Methylparaben is dissolvedin water and propylene glycol, polysorbate 80, and bimatoprost andminoxidil are added in turn, maintaining a temperature of 75-80° C. Themethylparaben mixture is added slowly to the Tegacid and spermacetimelt, with constant stirring. The addition is continued for at least 30minutes with additional stirring until the temperature has dropped to40-45° C. Finally, sufficient water is added to bring the final weightto 1000 gm and the preparation stirred to maintain homogeneity untilcooled and congealed.

The composition is applied to bald human scalp once daily to stimulatethe growth of hair.

Example 4

An ointment containing bimatoprost and minoxidil is prepared as follows:

White petrolatum and wool fat are melted, strained and liquid petrolatumis added thereto. The bimatoprost, minoxidil, zinc oxide, and calamineare added to the remaining liquid petrolatum and the mixture milleduntil the powders are finely divided and uniformly dispersed. Themixture is stirred into the white petrolatum, melted and cooled withstirring until the ointment congeals.

The foregoing ointment can be applied topically to mammalian skin forincreased rate of hair growth, and can be prepared by omitting the zincoxide and calamine.

Example 5

A dermatological ophthalmic ointment containing bimatoprost andminoxidil is prepared by adding the active compounds to light liquidpetrolatum. White petrolatum is melted together with wool fat, strained,and the temperature adjusted to 45-50° C. The liquid petrolatum slurryis added and the ointment stirred until congealed. Suitably the ointmentis packaged in 30 gm tubes.

The foregoing ointment can be applied to the eyelid to enhance thegrowth of eyelashes. Similarly the composition can be applied to thebrow for eyebrow growth.

Example 6

An aqueous solution containing bimatoprost and minoxidil is prepared asfollows. bimatoprost and minoxidil are dissolved in water and theresulting solution is sterilized by filtration. The solution isaseptically filled into sterile containers.

The composition so prepared can be used in the topical treatment ofbaldness by application to the scalp daily.

Example 7

Bimatoprost and minoxidil are dissolved in a vehicle of N-methylpyrrolidone and propylene glycol. The composition can be used forapplication to dogs or cats having hair loss due to mange or alopecia ofother causes.

Example 8 Aerosol

An aerosol containing approximately 0.03% by weight bimatoprost and 5%,by weight minoxidil is prepared by dissolving the bimatoprost andminoxidil in absolute alcohol. The resulting solution filtered to removeparticles and lint. This solution is chilled to about minus 30° C. Tothe solution is added a chilled mixture of dichlorodifluoromethane anddichlorotetrafluoroethane.

Thirteen ml plastic-coated amber bottles are cold filled with 11.5 gmeach of the resulting solution and capped.

The composition can be sprayed on the scalp daily to stimulate thegrowth of hair.

Example 9

A powder of the compound bimatoprost and minoxidil is prepared by mixingin dry form with talcum powder at a weight/weight ratio of 1:10. Thepowdered mixture is dusted on the fur of minks or other commerciallyvaluable fur bearing animals and show animals for increased rate of hairgrowth.

Example 10 In-Vivo Animal Studies:

A comparison of topical compositions comprising bimatoprost orminoxidil, alone, and the combination of bimatoprost and minoxidil, in asingle composition, with the vehicle, for onset of hair growth and fullhair growth, in a mouse model for hair growth, gave the resultssummarized in Table 1, below, and FIG. 5. The individual test subjects,i.e. the mice, are shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, with FIG. 1 being theVehicle, FIG. 2 being 0.03% Bimatoprost alone, FIG. 3 being 5% Rogaine(minoxidil) alone, and FIG. 4 being the synergistic composition, i.e.0.03% Bimatoprost+5% Rogaine (minoxidil).) As shown, in this study, allof the compositions having bimatoprost and minoxidil, alone, or incombination, show faster onset of hair growth, but the combination ofbimatoprost and minoxidil showed faster onset of hair growth thanbimatoprost and minoxidil, alone. In this study, it is shown thatbimatoprost and minoxidil, alone, did not obtain the result of full hairgrowth faster then the vehicle, however, the combination of bimatoprostand minoxidil achieved full hair growth much faster than vehicle andbimatoprost, alone.

TABLE 1 Summary of Study 10-04 (Test One) DRUG TREATMENT Day Hair GrowthCommenced VEHICLE 46.2 days ± 3.42 BIMATOPROST 0.03% 29.0 days ± 5.28MINOXIDIL 5% 38.9 days ± 2.56 MINOXIDIL 5% + 21.5 days ± 4.77BIMATOPROST 0.03% DRUG TREATMENT Day of Full Hair Growth VEHICLE  70days ± 0.1 BIMATOPROST 0.03% 54.5 days ± 6.34 MINOXIDIL 5%  70 days ±0.1 MINOXIDIL 5% + 45.3 days ± 6.78 BIMATOPROST 0.03%

FIGS. 6 through 8 show the results of a separate testing (Test Two) ofsynergistic composition of the invention in the same mouse model of hairgrowth, with FIG. 6 being the Vehicle, FIG. 7 being 0.03% Bimatoprost,alone, and FIG. 8 being the synergistic composition, i.e. 0.03%Bimatoprost and 5% Rogaine (minoxidil). These results are summarized inTable 2, below, and FIG. 9.

TABLE 2 Summary of Study 10-06 (Test Two) DRUG TREATMENT Day Hair GrowthCommenced VEHICLE 36.1 days ± 3.65 BIMATOPROST 0.03% 16.5 days ± 1.52MINOXIDIL 5% + 12.9 days ± 1.63 BIMATOPROST 0.03% DRUG TREATMENT Day ofFull Hair Growth VEHICLE 70 days ± 0.1 BIMATOPROST 0.03% 70 days ± 0.1MINOXIDIL 5% + 41.8 days ± 6.2  BIMATOPROST 0.03%

Again, as shown in this study, all of the compositions havingbimatoprost, alone, or in combination, show faster onset of hair growth,but the combination of bimatoprost and minoxidil showed faster onset ofhair growth than bimatoprost, alone. In this study, it is shown thatbimatoprost, alone, did not obtain the result of full hair growth fasterthen the vehicle, however, the combination of bimatoprost and minoxidilachieved full hair growth much faster than vehicle.

Example 11

A foamable liquid composition containing approximately 0.03% by weightbimatoprost and 5%, by weight minoxidil is prepared by dissolving thebimatoprost and minoxidil in an alcohol-containing solvent. Saidfoamable liquid composition further includes a solvent system, asurfactant and a foam stabilizer. The solvent system, includes water, analcohol nd, optionally, an acid and a water soluble solvent Thiscomposition is prepared by methods known in the art.

A Method of Delivering a Foam Product According to the Present InventionComprises the Following Steps:

providing a foamable liquid composition comprising 5 percent, by weight,minoxidil and 0.03 percent, by weight, bimatoprost or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt of either or both of minoxidil or bimatoprost, in anamount or amounts sufficient to provide: 5 percent, by weight,minoxidil, and 0.03 percent, by weight, bimatoprost in a containeradapted for dispensing the foamable liquid composition as a foam anddispensing the foamable liquid composition as a foam from said containeronto the skin of a patient.

Alternatively, minoxidil may be used in an amount of from 0.5 to 10percent and preferably in an amount of from 2 to 5 percent, by weight,relative to the total weight of the foamable liquid composition.

Bimatoprost may be used in an amount of from 0.01 to 3 percent and morepreferably in an amount of from 0.03 to 1 percent, by weight, relativeto the total weight of the liquid composition.

The solvent system is an aqueous-alcoholic medium, which enablessolubilization of minoxidil and bimatoprost. In one example, thefoamable liquid composition includes from 30 to 80 percent water, byweight. Preferably the foamable liquid composition comprises from 30 to60 percent water, by weight.

Preferably, the foamable liquid composition further includes an acid ata concentration of from 0.5 to 5 percent, by weight, of the foamableliquid composition. The acid may be selected from the group consistingof an inorganic acid, an organic acid with chain length of eight carbonsor less and mixtures thereof. A preferred foamable liquid compositionincludes from 1 to 4 percent, by weight, lactic acid, from 1 to 50,preferably from 5 to 30 percent, by weight, of an alcohol having fromone to four carbon atoms, such as methanol, ethanol, propanol andmixtures thereof, and one or more water soluble solvents, such asbutylene glycol, glycerin, polyglycerin, ethylene glycol, and propyleneglycol. Preferably, said alcohol is ethanol and preferably said watersoluble solvent is propylene glycol in an amount of from 1 to 20percent, by weight, and more preferably from 5 to 15 percent, by weight,of the foamable liquid composition.

The liquid foam composition according to the invention contains at leastone surfactant. Preferably, the foamable liquid composition comprisesfrom 0.1 to 5 percent, by weight, of a surfactant, more preferably from0.2 to 1 percent, by weight of a surfactant. Suitable surfactants haveemulsifying, solvating, and foam-forming or foam-stabilizing properties;are preferably nonionic; and have a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB)value of greater than about fifteen. In particular, the surfactantoleth-20 is preferred in an amount of from 0.1 to 5 percent, by weight,of the foamable liquid composition and more preferably from 0.2 to 1percent, by weight, of the foamable liquid composition.

Other surfactants optionally used with the present formulation include,but are not limited to: any combination of anionic, cationic, non-ionic,or amphoteric surfactants with an HLB value of greater than fifteen.

Optionally, the foam formed is maintained with a foam stabilizer. In thetreatment of the human scalp for androgenic alopecia the maintenance offoam is important to allow a known and suitable period of contact of theminoxidil and bimatoprost with the scalp.

The foam stabilizer is preferably included in the foamable liquidcomposition in an amount of from 0.05 to 0.5 percent, and morepreferably from 0.1 to 0.5 percent, by weight. In particular, thestabilizer includes lauryl glucoside in an amount of from 0.05 and 0.5%by weight and more preferably from 0.1 to 0.5 percent, by weight, of thefoamable liquid composition.

Other optional foam stabilizers used with the present liquid compositioninclude, but are not limited to: fatty amine oxides, a quaternaryamines, or a cellulose derivatives, such as methyl cellulose and ethylcellulose.

The liquid composition can be sprayed on the scalp daily to stimulatethe growth of hair.

Example 12

A gel comprising bimatoprost and minoxidil in apharmaceutically-acceptable solvent comprising propylene glycol andalcohol and a cross-linked acrylic polymer thickening agent such as aCarbomer, e.g. Carbomer 934P, is prepared as described below. Thecross-linked acrylic polymer thickening agent is neutralized with aneutralizing agent such as diisopropanolamine.

The gel comprises from 0.0000001% to 10% bimatoprost and from 0.001% to10% minoxidil, by weight. More preferably said gel comprises from 0.01%to 0.5% bimatoprost and from 1% to 5% minoxidil, by weight, mostpreferably said composition comprises 0.03% bimatoprost and 5%minoxidil, by weight

Said pharmaceutically acceptable solvent is selected from the groupconsisting of ethanol, propanol, butanol, propylene glycol, dipropyleneglycol, hexylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, PEG-200, PEG-400, glyceroland mixtures thereof.

Most preferably, said solvent is selected from the group consisting ofethanol and isopropanol.

Alternatively, said solvent selected from the group consisting ofpropylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, hexylene glycol, 1,3-butyleneglycol, PEG-200, PEG-400, and glycerol.

Most preferably, said solvent is propylene glycol.

In a second alternative embodiment of the invention, said solventcomprises a mixture comprising a first solvent selected from the groupconsisting of ethanol, propanol and butanol and a second solventselected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, dipropyleneglycol, hexylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, PEG-200, PEG-400, andglycerol.

Preferably, in said second alternative embodiment of the invention, saidsolvent comprises a mixture of ethanol and propylene glycol.

The gel further comprising a neutralizing agent, wherein saidneutralizing agent may be selected from the group consisting of ammoniumhydroxide, arginine, 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, dimethanolamine,dibutanolamine, diisobutanolamine, tributanolamine, triisobutanolamine,tri-sec-butanolamine, tripropylamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine,triethanolamine, PEG-15 cocamine, diisopropanolamine,methylethanolamine, diisopropylamine, dipropylenetriamine, tromethamine,isopropylamine ethylene diamine, triisopropanolamine, tetrahydroxypropylethylenediamine, trimethamine, 2-aminobutanol, aminoethyl propanediol,aminomethyl propanediol, aminomethyl propanol, sodium hydroxide, andpotassium hydroxide.

A pharmaceutically elegant gel comprising minoxidil and bimatoprost isprepared by mixing the below-described mixtures:

Ingredient % w/w Part I Purified water USP q.s. 100 Carbopol ® 934P 0.45Part II Bimatoprost 0.03 Minoxidil 5 propylene glycol USP 10 alcohol USP13 diisopropanolamine NF 0.45 Part III alcohol USP 27

The component parts are prepared separately. Part III is then mixed withPart I. When a uniform mixture is obtained, Part II is then added usingplanetary mixing under vacuum until a uniform gel is obtained.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for enhancing hair growth in a mammal in need thereof which comprises administering to the mammal a synergistically effective amounts of bimatoprost and minoxidil.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bimatoprost and said minoxidil are administered to a human.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein bimatoprost and minoxidil are administered as a composition comprising from 0.0000001% to 10% bimatoprost and from 0.001% to 10% minoxidil, by weight.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein bimatoprost is provided as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
 5. A method for enhancing hair growth activity of a compound selected from the group consisting of bimatoprost and minoxidil following topical administration of one of said compounds to a mammal in need of treatment to alleviate a condition characterized by inadequate or lack of hair, wherein said method comprises topically or otherwise co-administering said compound to said animal with a synergistically effective amount of the other compound, wherein the amount of said other compound is sufficient to enhance the hair growth activity of said compound.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 5 wherein said bimatoprost and said minoxidil is administered to a human.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein bimatoprost and minoxidil are administered as a composition comprising from 0.0000001% to 10% bimatoprost and from 0.001% to 10% minoxidil, by weight.
 8. The method of claim 5 wherein bimatoprost and minoxidil are provided, topically, as a pharmaceutically-acceptable liquid.
 9. A method for alleviating a condition characterized by inadequate or lack of hair, in or on a mammal, which comprises topically or otherwise locally administering to said mammal an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising: (1) a combination of bimatoprost and minoxidil in a synergistically effective amount and (2) a non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefore suitable for topical or other local application.
 10. The method as claimed in claim 9 wherein said bimatoprost and said minoxidil are administered to a human.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein bimatoprost and minoxidil are administered as a composition comprising from 0.0000001% to 10% bimatoprost and from 0.001% to 10% minoxidil, by weight.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein bimatoprost and minoxidil are provided, topically, as a pharmaceutically-acceptable liquid.
 13. A method for the conversion of vellus hair or intermediate hair to growth as terminal hair comprising the application to mammalian skin at the locale of vellus hair of a combination of bimatoprost and minoxidil in a synergistically effective amount.
 14. The method as claimed in claim 13 wherein bimatoprost and minoxidil are administered to a human.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein bimatoprost and minoxidil are administered as a composition comprising from 0.0000001% to 10% bimatoprost and from 0.001% to 10% minoxidil, by weight.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein bimatoprost and minoxidil are provided, topically, as a pharmaceutically-acceptable liquid.
 17. A method for stimulating hair follicles to increase hair growth and one or more properties selected from the group consisting of luster, sheen, brilliance, gloss, glow, shine or patina of hair associated with the follicles, comprising the application to mammalian skin at the locale of the follicles of an effective amount of a combination of bimatoprost and minoxidil in a synergistically effective amount.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein bimatoprost and minoxidil are administered as a composition comprising from 0.0000001% to 10% bimatoprost and from 0.001% to 10% minoxidil, by weight.
 19. The method of claim 17 bimatoprost and minoxidil are provided, topically, as a pharmaceutically-acceptable liquid.
 20. A composition of bimatoprost and minoxidil in a vehicle for topical application to the skin of a mammal whereby the combination of bimatoprost and minoxidil produces a faster onset of hair growth in humans or other mammals and wherein said composition brings about a synergistic result of faster onset of hair growth as compared to compositions comprising bimatoprost and minoxidil, alone. 